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Flipper & crusher

Robot statistics correct as of its most recent appearance on the show, or if not applicable, qualification attempt

"Looks like a beastly silver fish."

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper was a Belgian robot that competed in Dutch Robot Wars and both series of Robot Wars Extreme. Its name was a combination of the names of team captain Philippe Poppe and the famous film dolphin, Flipper.

The Philipper team was very successful, finishing as runner-up in the second series of Dutch Robot Wars and being named as Belgian champion as the best placed Belgian robot in the series. They also had success in international competition, finishing as runner-up in the European Championship. The team also competed in two Robot Wars World Championships, the second with Philipper and the first with their previous robot, Depoppesaurus Rex. Though it never won its own title, Philipper defeated Panzer Mk 2 and Black Hole; both champions in their home country's Robot Wars and otherwise undefeated. However, the team didn't return for The Third World Championship, leaving Hard to represent Belgium.

Contents

The robot was described as "fish-like" by Jonathan Pearce, had a 1cm ground clearance and was armed with two lifting weapons, one on the front and one on the back. Philipper had good pushing power and control, but both of its weapons activated very slowly, and its self-righting mechanisms proved unreliable.

Philipper 2, as it appeared in the Grand Final of the second Dutch series

Philipper 2, stylised as Philipper II, had a similar design, but the front lifter was upgraded from an electric system to pneumatic flipper, making it much quicker in activation. The rear lifter was replaced with a crushing claw, which Philipper used to attack immobilised foes. The robot's ground clearance was lowered, and internally was powered by two 200W wheelchair motors. Both robots had high traction, but suffered from speeds of only 10mph.

Philipper took part in an international fight against Chaos 2, allied with Alien Destructor. Perhaps due to Alien Destructor's invertibility, Chaos 2 surged straight for Philipper, who attempted to dig its lifter underneath the front corner of Chaos 2. However, Chaos 2 tossed it high into the air, but it landed back on its wheels.

Philipper responded by exposing Chaos 2's high ground clearance, twice, although Chaos 2 used its flipper to flick itself off of Philipper's lifter, before flipping it again. Once again though, Philipper landed back on its wheels after rolling. While Alien Destructor continued to hold back, Philipper and Chaos 2 came together head-on, and the Belgian machine was flipped upwards by the two-time UK champions, before landing on the raised flipper and creating a large gash across Philipper's underbelly.

Alien Destructor then moved in to attack Chaos 2, but it recovered quickly and threw Philipper onto Alien Destructor, before it rolled back onto its wheels. It earned some respite briefly, as Chaos 2 began to focus on Alien Destructor, and it used this opportunity to attack Chaos 2 from behind. However, Philipper failed to get its lifter underneath Chaos 2 properly, and Chaos 2 responded by lifting it up slightly whilst over the Flame Pit. Despite seeming to have lost some power to the flipper, Chaos 2's next attack turned Philipper over and onto its side, and the srimech seemingly failed to work.

"There goes Philipper - look at the great gash underneath there, in Philipper! A huge, great ravine cut out of the bottom of Philipper!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper is counted out, unable to self-right

Alien Destructor was unable to push it back into its wheels, and Philipper's attempts to right itself were in vain, as Refbot came in to count it out. Philipper was then attacked by Dead Metal, who produced a shower of sparks when it cut into front, while Shunt axed its underbelly, increasing the size of the gash and creating a second, smaller hole with another hit. Although Philipper's team still had the chance to win the battle, Alien Destructor could not defeat Chaos 2, and both lost the resulting Judges' decision.

Craig Charles: "Well, you wanted to have a go because Chaos 2's probably Britain's most favourite robot. Was it good in the arena?"

Sam Poppe: "Yes."

— Post-battle interview

At the end of Extreme 1, Philipper took part in the Second World Championship representing Belgium, as the team had in the First World Championship with their previous incarnation Depoppesaurus Rex. This competition was also broadcast during Season 1 of US series Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors. Philipper faced Tornado from England, Yeborobo from South Africa, and Panzer Mk 2 from the USA.

Julia Reed: "Is there anybody you're particularly afraid of?"

Philippe Poppe: "Everybody except the South African ones."

— Philipper's team in The Second World Championship

Tornado is flung straight into Philipper by Panzer Mk 2

Philipper holds Tornado up with its lifter

Philipper was sluggish to start with, as Panzer Mk 2 and Tornado clashed at a furious pace near it; Philipper kept on turning to face the two machines, but they both ignored Philipper initially. Panzer Mk 2 then flipped Tornado directly into Philipper, who attempted to lift both machines, but Tornado slipped off the main part of lifter, which then also pushed Panzer Mk 2 away from Philipper as well.

"Tornado's in trouble from Panzer, up on the side of Philipper; up comes the lifting arm of Philipper."

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper turns Panzer Mk 2 over

Philipper still held Tornado on the lip of its lifter, but before it could do anything with it, Panzer Mk 2 slammed into Tornado and shoved it away from Philipper. It continued to chase after the US champions and Tornado, but once again, Tornado was flipped away from it by Panzer Mk 2. Philipper made a surprise movement towards the end of the battle, breaching Panzer Mk 2's ground clearance from behind, before pushing underneath the side and overturning its opponent, who was unable to self-right.

"And Panzer's being sent up and over by Philipper, which is so far proving a major surprise!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper is pushed onto the flames by Tornado

With Yeborobo immobilised long ago and Panzer Mk 2 being counted out, Philipper was left to fight Tornado alone, who shoved Philipper over the Flame Pit. It appeared to have lost a lot mobility towards the end of the battle, and was shunted towards Sir Killalot by Tornado just as cease was called, and Philipper lost the Judges' decision.

"Philipper will have to go to a Judges' decision. That's a surprise in itself."

In the first round, Philipper fought Lizzard. It began by spinning on the spot while Lizzard held back, before turning and chasing after its opponent. It tried to attack Lizzard, but Lizzard spun round and hit its front with the rear tail. Philipper attacked Lizzard head-on, but failed to breach its ground clearance with the lifter. After being hit by the tail again, Philipper missed another lift, before almost driving into Sgt. Bash's CPZ. Eventually, Philipper shoved Lizzard into the arena wall and was able to lift it up slightly from the tail, but it was unable to turn Lizzard over. Reversing, Philipper dragged Lizzard across the arena slightly, but eventually Lizzard slipped off the lifter and activated the pit.

Philipper removes Lizzard's armour

Sgt. Bash then attacked Philipper when it was too close to a CPZ, but Philipper circled round it and evaded the House Robot's claw, before sneaking under the back of Lizzard and lifting it up once more. Lizzard quickly slid off again, but Philipper followed up quickly, this time with its rear lifter. This attack proved more effective, because the resulting lift tore Lizzard's body shell clean off. Still, Lizzard remained mobile, so the fight carried on, and Philipper shoved it across the arena while Shunt pitted Lizzard's body shell. Philipper then pushed Lizzard over the Flame Pit and into the arena wall, before opening its lifter and clamping down on Lizzard's exposed electronics, just before cease was called. Philipper won the resulting Judges' decision easily.

Philipper breaches Bamm Bamm's ground clearance

In the second round, Philipper faced Bamm Bamm. The fight began with both machines crashing into each other head-on, and Philipper deflected off to the side, just avoiding Bamm Bamm's attack in the process. After evading another hit from Bamm Bamm, Philipper missed its own attack with the front lifter, before pressing the pit release button. Slipping past Bamm Bamm, Philipper turned and breached Bamm Bamm's ground clearance, but wasn't able to produce a lift in time before its opponent slipped off.

Philipper suspends Bamm Bamm out of the arena

Philipper pits itself

After Bamm Bamm missed two more hits from its axe, Philipper pressured it into a CPZ, but Philipper was in the way of Sgt. Bash; the two reversed away from Bamm Bamm, allowing it to escape. Philipper absorbed a hit from Bamm Bamm's axe, but continued to show a lot of aggression, chasing Bamm Bamm across the arena. Eventually, Philipper rammed into Bamm Bamm while it hovered by the arena side wall, allowing Philipper to dig underneath it and lift Bamm Bamm up, and suspending it over the out-of-the-arena zone. However, Philipper could not release Bamm Bamm despite slamming into the wall. Giving up, Philipper carried Bamm Bamm over to the pit, only to drive in itself after Bamm Bamm fell off to the side at the final moment after retracting its axe. As a result, Philipper was eliminated from the competition.

The Poppe family came back to Robot Wars with Philipper 2, a redesign from the previous Philipper. Philipper 2's first battle was against Shapeshifter. Philipper 2 did not have to do much; Shapeshifter appeared to become immobilised before Philipper 2 even came into contact with it. Philipper 2 then simply flipped Shapeshifter onto its side to win, and then retreated when the House Robots attacked its beaten opponent. Philipper 2 spun on the spot in celebration when Refbot eventually came in to count Shapeshifter out, and watched as it was thrown by the Floor Flipper and pitted.

Philipper 2 flips Trazmaniac

Philipper 2 scores another flip on Trazmaniac

In its next battle, Philipper 2 fought Trazmaniac. It began aggressively, almost getting underneath Trazmaniac immediately, before being rammed head-on by its opponent. Philipper 2 gave chase as Trazmaniac retreated, but missed its first flip on the invertible machine. After being rammed from the side, Philipper 2 turned, got underneath Trazmaniac's drum and flicked it up, but Trazmaniac's rear drill prevented it from being turned over, so it landed back on its front.
Philipper 2's next flip on Trazmaniac almost side-stranded it, but it fell back down again and started to push back at Philipper 2. In retaliation, Philipper 2 scored another flip on Trazmaniac, overturning it this time. Trazmaniac attempted to drill into the side of Philipper 2, but it was able to avoid any lasting damage; Philipper 2 then absorbed a slam to the side from Trazmaniac, before lifting its opponent slightly off the ground by its drill.

Philipper 2 sustains damage from Trazmaniac

Philipper 2 and Trazmaniac clash late into the fight

Both robots continued to show aggression, with Trazmaniac getting a shove in on Philipper 2 towards the Flame Pit, while Philipper 2 replied by flicking Trazmaniac up slightly, unable to get a proper purchase with the flipper. The two machines then clashed head-on, attempting to out-push each other, with Philipper 2 winning the mini-duel by flipping Trazmaniac up again. Philipper 2 then drove into an arena side wall near a CPZ, before driving over the Flame Pit and missing a charge at Trazmaniac. After missing a flip, Philipper 2 was attacked from the side again, with Trazmaniac burying its drill into Philipper 2's thin armour and shoving it around in a circle. It missed two more successive flips on Trazmaniac, but when the two came together head-on, it was able to overturn its opponent once more. However, Trazmaniac continued to persist, and pushed back at Philipper 2, who responded with one last flip just before cease was called. The battle went was sent to a Judges' Decision, which slightly went in Philipper 2's favour.

Philipper 2 flips Twister

Philipper 2 claws the overturned Twister

Through to the Heat Final, Philipper 2 faced Twister. Twister's weaponry looked daunting, and Philipper 2 began cautiously, attempting to get round the back of Twister from the start. However, Twister was quick on the turn and able to keep its weapon facing Philipper 2. Philipper 2 sustained a hit to the side from Twister, deflecting it away, before it came in again and absorbed another hit from the spinner. This appeared to stun Twister briefly, and Philipper 2 capitalised by getting underneath one of Twister's wheels and flipping it over. Twister had no way of righting itself, and Philipper 2 reversed into it and used its claw to dig into Twister's wheel, before backing away and allowing the Refbot to count Twister out.

Philipper 2 began sluggishly, while Krab-Bot rammed into it and pushed it towards the arena wall. After Krab-Bot attacked it again, Philipper 2 flipped Krab-Bot by one of its claws, which turned it over and onto an angle grinder. Philipper 2 turned and attempted to use its claw on Krab-Bot, but was unable to do so effectively before Refbot helped Krab-Bot off the angle grinder. Krab-Bot grabbed Philipper 2 and shoved it into a CPZ. Philipper 2 attempted to loosen Krab-Bot's grip with a flip, but was unsuccessful; however, Growler then charged in and slammed the two apart.

Krab-Bot pushes its claw under Philipper 2's flipper

After escaping, Philipper 2 flipped Krab-Bot over, before the two machines engaged in another pushing match. Krab-Bot initially came close to pushing Philipper 2 into a CPZ, but it fought back and lifted Krab-Bot up slightly. Philipper 2 left its flipper open for too long though, allowing Krab-Bot to stick its claw in the gap and push it into a CPZ, and then into an angle grinder.

Krab-Bot pushes Philipper 2

Growler pulled Krab-Bot free, and the robots came together again, with Philipper 2 just avoiding being grabbed from the side by its opponent. It was then caught from behind by Krab-Bot, who shoved it across the arena while Philipper 2 dug its claw into Krab-Bot's wheel gap. The match ended with the two locked together in this position over the unopened Pit, and Philipper 2 won the subsequent Judges' decision.

Philipper 2's next opponent was Bamm Bamm, who had come through to the Grand Final as one of three wildcards, in a grudge match from Dutch Series 1. Before the battle, Sam Poppe expressed intent to flip Bamm Bamm out of the arena, as they had failed to do in their last encounter.

Philipper 2's first flip on Bamm Bamm

Philipper 2 throws Bamm Bamm over again

Philipper 2 was challenged early on, receiving a hit from Bamm Bamm's axe just before it managed to flip it lifted it up slightly. Philipper 2 evaded Bamm Bamm's next hit, before flipping it over just as Bamm Bamm came in for another attack. Bamm Bamm righted itself, but reversed straight back onto Philipper 2's flipper, allowing the Belgian robot to flip it over again. After Bamm Bamm self-righted straight back onto Philipper 2's flipper, Philipper 2 threw it over again. Philipper 2 missed its next flip and took a hit to the flipper from Bamm Bamm's axe, before missing another flip.

Philipper 2 flips Bamm Bamm once more

Philipper 2 is dragged by Bamm Bamm as a result of their weapons being caught together

Philipper 2 was briefly shoved by Bamm Bamm and missed a third flip in succession, but it overturned Bamm Bamm with its next assault. However, Philipper 2's flipper then got stuck open, so it turned away from Bamm Bamm and attempted to use its claw. Bamm Bamm lodged its axe on the side of Philipper 2, and as it attempted to pull the axe away, it became caught round Philipper 2's claw. Locked together, Bamm Bamm appeared to do a lot of the pulling on Philipper 2, dragging it near a CPZ before Growler separated them. Philipper 2 attempted to turn over a steam jet whilst Bamm Bamm scampered away, and cease was called before the two could engage again. The match went to a Judges' decision, which went in favour of Philipper 2.

Philipper 2 and PulverizeR clash early on

Philipper 2 turns PulverizeR onto its side with a push

In the final battle, Philipper 2 met PulverizeR. Philipper 2 tried to flip PulverizeR when the two came together head-on, but missed its attack. After taking a light hit from PulverizeR, Philipper 2's next attack flicked the spinner away from it, but did little else, as PulverizeR was invertible. Sparks flew when PulverizeR cut into the side of Philipper 2, but there appeared to be little damage caused, and Philipper 2 responded by flicking PulverizeR over again.

Philipper 2 is attacked by PulverizeR, and about to lose a panel in its flipper

Philipper 2 then pushed and overturned PulverizeR into a position where only one of its wheels was on the ground, but it quickly righted itself. PulverizeR sped away as Philipper 2 gave chase, and Philipper 2 charged straight into the disc, deflecting PulverizeR over, before shoving into it again. After PulverizeR slipped away, Philipper 2 was unable to catch it before its spinner got up to speed, and a hit from PulverizeR's disc tore a panel off its flipper. Philipper 2's next flip didn't even lift PulverizeR off the ground, instead simply pushing it away, and it then rammed head-on into the disc once more, taking some minor damage in the process.

Philipper 2 sustains bodywork damage as the fight progresses

Another hit from PulverizeR lifted Philipper 2 up slightly, but Philipper 2 persisted, shoving PulverizeR towards the Flame Pit. As PulverizeR fled to speed its weapon up, Philipper 2 continued to chase it, but was deflected away by a powerful PulverizeR hit. As the time ran out, Philipper 2 took one last hit from PulverizeR that flicked it into the air and bent the top of the flipper partially. The match went to a Judges' decision, who ruled against Philipper 2 due to the damage sustained.

As the runner-up, Philipper 2 was the best-performing Belgian robot in Dutch Robot Wars, and, consequentially, the Belgian Champion. This honour granted it admittance into the European Championship at a later date.

Philipper 2 took part in the European Championship, representing Belgium. This competition was broadcast during Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2 and German Robot Wars. In the first round, it fought the Swedish Rawbot. Both robots charged in as activate was called and Philipper 2 flipped Rawbot up a little, but it wasn't enough to turn it over. As Rawbot rammed into it again, Philipper 2 lifted the Swedish machine up again, with both robots going round in a circle before Philipper 2 dropped Rawbot. It was then shoved briefly by Rawbot, but it flicked itself away with a flip, before turning and pushing Rawbot into the floor-spinner release tyre, activating the arena hazard. Turning over a flame jet to face its opponent, Philipper 2 flipped Rawbot up again, but not over.

Philipper 2 shoves Rawbot into the floor-spinner release button

"The pneumatic flipper being brought into action by Philipper 2; certainly has the superior weaponry here."

— Jonathan Pearce

Rawbot made a move to hit the pit release, and Philipper 2 was able to catch it off-guard, pushing two wheels of Rawbot over the pit. However, in an attempt to finish Rawbot off, Philipper 2 freed it from the lip of the pit with a flip.

Philipper 2 chased after Rawbot, and eventually caught up to it, digging its rear claw into one of Rawbot's wheels. It then dragged Rawbot towards the pit, before letting go and allowing Rawbot to fall in, sending Philipper 2 through to the next round.

"The Swedes, turned into cabbages! The Belgians, and Philipper 2, go sprouting forth!"

— Craig Charles

In Round 2 saw Philipper 2 was drawn against the German champion, Black Hole. Philipper 2's team were nervous, having already seen Black Hole in action.

Philippa Forrester: "What are you going to do to that robot, run away?"

Philippe Poppe: "No no no no, if it has to be done, it has to be done quick!"

— An apprehensive Philipper team on their tactics

Philipper 2 is lifted up slightly by Black Hole's discs

Black Hole pursues Philipper 2

Philipper 2 immediately took damage to its side while turning, the attack lifting it up slightly. It turned and nudged into Black Hole's side, but couldn't get its flipper into play, and suffered more minor damage when Black Hole turned into it. Black Hole's next attack came from behind, lifting Philipper 2 up once more, and more bits and pieces came flying off its side when Black Hole sliced into it again. The next hit Philipper 2 took was to its tail, spinning it away from Black Hole, and it was outmanoeuvred once more by the German champions who cut into the back armour, where a hole was beginning to open up.

"Black Hole, here, very much on top, causing damage to Philippe and Nancy Poppe's machine."

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper 2 is axed by Shunt

Philipper 2 pressed the pit release button before absorbing more attacks to its side from Black Hole. It then drove too close to a CPZ, with Shunt coming in and axing its top while Philipper 2 simultaneously missed a flip on Black Hole. After getting away from Shunt, Philipper 2 attacked Black Hole head-on, and managed to flip it over.

Philipper 2 overturns Black Hole

"Look at that steel and aluminium flying from the side there... Oh, but that's a good flip by the fish-like Philipper!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Black Hole came back biting into Philipper 2's sides, lifting itself up Philipper 2's side in the process, but the Belgian robot refused to give up despite absorbing more damage from a follow-up attack. Its rear tail was then bent slightly by Black Hole, and the German champions kept to the side of Philipper 2, cutting into it as it attempted to circle round.

Philipper 2 takes more damage from Black Hole

"Slicing into the sides of Philipper 2, Black Hole. Very one-sided, this. Philipper 2 needs to pull off something very special."

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper's surprise comeback against Black Hole

Philipper 2 flipped Black Hole up a little bit when the German champions rammed into the lifter, and deflected Black Hole up onto its flipper again when the two came together head-on. Philipper 2 capitalised on this by shoving Black Hole across the arena floor and down the pit to cause a major upset.

"Ooh! Chance, chance, upset! Black Hole down and out! Talk about turning that tie on its head! They were out, Philipper 2, and they've contrived a great escape!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper 2 was then through to the European Championship final, taking on the winner of the all-UK clash.

Craig Charles: "You've got a lot of repairs to do, you've seen the British robots; you've seen Tornado, you've seen Razer, which one would you prefer to fight? Which one would you rather avoid?"

Philippe Poppe: "Razer."

— The team hope to face Tornado

Philipper 2 is put under pressure by Tornado from the start

Shunt axes Philipper 2

Philipper 2's wishes were granted, as it faced Tornado in the final, which was using its spinning drum. However, Philipper 2 had not completely recovered, and it missed its first flip of the battle, before Tornado attacked its side. The UK champions then rammed into Philipper 2's front, but the Belgian machine was too slow to fire its flipper in time before Tornado reversed away again. Philipper 2 was shoved into a CPZ by Tornado, where it was attacked by Shunt, who came crashing in and axed its top armour twice.

"Philipper 2 in the CPZ, and in comes Shunt! Down comes the diamond edged axe; Philipper 2 away."

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper 2 is shoved around by Tornado

Philipper 2 ends up caught on the Flame Pit

After escaping, Philipper 2 was rammed into an angle grinder by Tornado. It edged behind the Flame Pit, but was unable to avoid the punishment for long, as Tornado slammed into Philipper 2's side once more, pressuring it towards the Flame Pit, where it missed another flip. After being slammed into the wall, Philipper 2 found itself on the flame pit, where its low ground clearance beached it until Refbot freed it. Tornado then activated the pit and tried to shove Philipper 2 into it, but Philipper 2 had good traction and edged away.

Tornado continued to reverse and then ram into the front of Philipper 2. As Philipper 2 turned away, Tornado caught it from behind and attempted to push it down into the pit once more, but Philipper 2 was able to hold it off once again, and almost reversed into Sergeant Bash. One of Philipper 2's rear panels was then torn off by a Tornado attack, before it almost drove itself into the pit while pressured by Sergeant Bash.

It then reversed round the pit to escape Sergeant Bash, but stayed too close to the pit itself, and Tornado capitalised with one last shove, which pitted Philipper 2 at last, meaning it finished second place in the European Championship Final.

"And they've got it, Tornado are the European champions. Philipper 2, always up against it and finally beaten."

As an active Dutch machine during the original run of Robot Wars, Philipper made regular appearances at the yearly Dutch Robot Games events. Little is known about its success, but it is known that the original Philipper fought Golem in 2001, and Philipper 2 also fought Golem in 2003.